New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-09-28
city is not losing money this week but making II
hand-over-hand.
OPENING THE W0RCEsyKR FESTIVAL.
THE FIRST TWO CONCERTS MARKED BY THE Skill

THE FIRST TWO CONCERTS MARKED BY THE Skill
Full BALANCE OF VOICES AND INSTRUMENTS
WORCESTER, Sept 81 tSpeciaD.-The first two Of the
eight conc ers which win mako up the thrteh annual
festival Of the Worcester County Musical Associa-
ton took place In Mechanics Hall this afternoon and
evening. Bruch was the hero Of the day among the
composers his minor violin concerts being
played at the matinee and his secular
oratorio "Arminius" filling the evening This
preponderance music of single composer and he
Of the second class albeit exceedingly talented
one might be looked upon In a degree indicative OF
the of thoughtfulness aud ofness of purpose with
which the schemes OF the Worcester festival made
or late the institution has steadily grown In
popularity until for the present meeting practically all the
seats sold for all the concerts ten days ago. Yet
the certain provincial features which have for years
been criticised by visitors from NewYork and Boston
adhered to with pertnacy which would seem TO indicate
that the far anxious TO put money IN
the socey exchequer than to give the festivals the high
position and great significance which they might easily
be made TO take, in view OF the difficulties attending
choral culture in the cities mentioned in the programme
OF the present week There only novelty and that
s also the only American composition, scherzo for
orchestra by B. Brown, of Boston would be almost
Improbable to look for any Of the fruits of
culture which usually follow an inteli-
gently planned festival for the that
performers and pnbc agreed in looking upon the af
fair simply a set OF msce aneous concerts in no wise
the personnel OF the performers But Worcester is salts
fed and TO croak Is like hurting dscord into the lovely
harmony of the comnunifys enthusiasm. In the ulness
OF time, mayhap the musical association realize the
beauty OF its artistic mission and the fine opportunities
which it is only half embracing.
AT both the fine hall crowded. In the after
noon the programme consisted of Berliozs Carnival
Romano" verdrs baritone air % Err La" sung by
Eliot Hubbard, of Boston; Bruchs First Violin
Concerto. played by Fred MAIN; air from
Verdis old "Nabucadonosor" sung by Mrs. Maud
starkweather. also of Boston and Mendelssohn's
" Scotch" symphony. The vioinist is young Boston
ian nephew of Carl Zerrahn. the conductor of
the festivals 1t was his first American performance
after three-years course OF study under
Rappoldi liz Dresden. He displayed beautiful
sympathetic tone and fine skill His talen. is unques
tio1able Mr.. Hubbard has been with George henschel
in London. but he has not ripened yet. nor has Mrs.
starkweather, who essayed somewhat surprisingly
matte song with voice scarcely ht Tor anything
requiring more breath than cradle song.
Nor is her technique finished. The overture
and symphony admirably PLAYED by nfty-h
beers of the Boston symphony Orchestra Mr. Brehn OF
NewYork duplicated his energetic performance OF last
year, while the parts o! "siegmund" aud
the "Priestess" were in ADLER hands than
before. in those OF W. ii. Lawton. OF
NowYork and Madame Hastreiter. MIR. Lawton has i'm
prov greatly in the last year. and sang with uneX-
pected power and fine quality of voice. Madame Has
treer returned from her European season without
tonight is taxing and of tremen-
dously wide range 1t is not all IN the
best portion of voice and her performance
even. bat It had firm aud fervd moments and caused
much pleasure. Madame Hastreer will JON Ai'bey's
Gerster troupe
The choir appears 10 have gained somewhat during the
year In mems voices. On the whole the
most noticeable feature the ensemble to
familiar with festival efforts in various
parts " the country the exquisite balance be-
tween the vocal and Instrumental forces Except for
occasional superabunanoo OF which had
the effect of burrng OF Bruchs vivid colors per
feet balance was maintained each body supplementing
tue her In which must have delighted the heart
of Con ductOr Zerrahn 4 II.